Adding built-in Bluetooth to a T410 that doesn't have it?

[dburr]

I have a Thinkpad T410 model 2537-JU5, which has built-in WiFi but not built-in Bluetooth. I was wondering, is it possible to add built-in Bluetooth to this machine? Is it as simple as buying a compatile Bluetooth adapter (the same part # as listed in the Hardware Reference Manual) and just popping it in? Or are there more complex issues (e.g. different versions of the T410 motherboard, some of which lack the socket for the bluetooth adapter) etc.?

[dburr]

Answering my own question, in case someone who has the same question as I did finds this thread through a Google search...

As it happens, I had to take my T410 apart for other reasons (failing fan) so decided to investigate while it was disassembled. As documented in the Hardware Reference Manual, the Bluetooth card (which is REALLY TINY btw, be careful!) fits in on the underside of the keyboard bezel, near the trackpad. It plugs in via a small ribbon connector that branches off the main ribbon connector (that connects the keyboard bezel to the motherboard.) My T410 had the Bluetooth connector with nothing attached to it. So I was able to attach a Thinkpad Bluetooth module I ordered off ebay. Near the BT card connector is a small recessed slot along with a screw hole, this is where the Bluetooth module gets installed. My T410 even had the correct screw already screwed in to the screw hole. Finally, apparently these Bluetooth connectors are standard, so Bluetooth modules made for some other Thinkpads will work. When the T410 was made, only bluetooth 2.0 was available; however newer Thinkpads are sporting Bluetooth 4.0 modules. I unknowingly accidentally ordered one of those, yet it fit in my T410 and works just fine.

[rkawakami]

Thanks for coming back and posting your experience. Question: Do you have the auction number and/or FRU? I'm assuming it might be 60Y3303 but it's nice to have a confirmation.

[dburr]

Thanks for coming back and posting your experience. Question: Do you have the auction number and/or FRU? I'm assuming it might be 60Y3303 but it's nice to have a confirmation.

The FRU of the part that I ordered is 39T0497. It is actually a BT module meant for the T60P/T61P/X60. According to the ThinkWiki http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Bluetooth ... 14_pins%29 all of the Bt modules share a common pin format, and so are very likely compatible. I wanted to try this module because it supports the latest Bluetooth 4.0 standard (whereas the module meant specifically for the T410, being an older machine, only supports Bluetooth 2.1.) And, as it turns out, the new BT module both fits physically and works perfectly.

And here is the auction:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171575839177?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

[RealBlackStuff]

Hate to disappoint you, but your BT-module is an old one, which only supports BT2.0

[dburr]

Hate to disappoint you, but your BT-module is an old one, which only supports BT2.0

I decided to try installing an internal Bluetooth adapter (among other fixes/upgrades) on another of my T410s, and this time I was able to find the Bluetooth 4.0 module (FRU 60Y3303) and it installed without a hitch and works perfectly too. Furthermore not only does this adapter support Bluetooth 4.0, but I have found that it also supports Bluetooth Low Energy (LE).

[Vi_Deo]

Thank you for your post. I recently wanted to upgrade my T410 with a bluetooth module, and had the same question. Now I can upgrade straight to Bluetooth 4.0.

[cookiesOuO]

Hey there, just saw this thread and thought I share my experience.
I was given a T410 i7 and had quite some issues with the BT and WiFi after upgrading to Win 8.1 (64 Bit), though I can't say if it ever ran fine under Win 8 or even Win 7.
Connections were either dropping randomly or wouldn't pick up after sleep. It's needless to say that this was super annoying. Long story short, I fixed it. Here is how:

I installed a modded BIOS which bypasses the whitelist-check active in the original BIOS from Lenovo, that allowed me to install a different wifi card than the few that Lenovo allows officially to be installed. The BIOS can be found here http://forums.mydigitallife.info/thread ... ad/page652. It's the "whitelist removed only" one. There seem to be issues (five long beeps before system start) with the TPM and the modded BIOS, but if you don't need it (for enrypting your SSD / HDD with BitLocker or similar) and have it switched off, you should be fine.

I bought a "Bigfoot Networks Killer™ Wireless-N 1103 a/g/n 3x3 MIMO" through ebay. It's a card that you apparently can't buy separately at you tech-dealer. It normally comes pre-installed with a bunch of laptop brands like DELL. Over ebay you'll be able to find the card on its own though. My one was +/- 20$. Installing was a breeze and the wireless works flawless now. It even picked up the LED status correctly after I installed and then again de-installed the "Bigfoot Networks Killer™" drivers from their official website. That must have flipped a switch somewhere.

Now for the Bluetooth installation. I bought a "Lenovo Thinkpad Bluetooth Daughter Card 60Y3303 60Y3305" over ebay http://www.ebay.de/itm/181266042097?_tr ... EBIDX%3AIT. I think my one is a 60Y3303 instead of the 60Y3305. The auction didn't list the T410 as compatible. His could generally well be the case but I guess the modded BIOS helped here too. Installation takes a little longer, as there are quite a few screws, but as a result my T410 now has BT 4.0 and works perfectly.

I hope that helps a little.

Best,
cookies

[Emy]

Hey there, just saw this thread and thought I share my experience.
I was given a T410 i7 and had quite some issues with the BT and WiFi after upgrading to Win 8.1 (64 Bit), though I can't say if it ever ran fine under Win 8 or even Win 7.
Connections were either dropping randomly or wouldn't pick up after sleep. It's needless to say that this was super annoying. Long story short, I fixed it. Here is how:

I installed a modded BIOS which bypasses the whitelist-check active in the original BIOS from Lenovo, that allowed me to install a different wifi card than the few that Lenovo allows officially to be installed. The BIOS can be found here http://forums.mydigitallife.info/thread ... ad/page652. It's the "whitelist removed only" one. There seem to be issues (five long beeps before system start) with the TPM and the modded BIOS, but if you don't need it (for enrypting your SSD / HDD with BitLocker or similar) and have it switched off, you should be fine.

I bought a "Bigfoot Networks Killer™ Wireless-N 1103 a/g/n 3x3 MIMO" through ebay. It's a card that you apparently can't buy separately at you tech-dealer. It normally comes pre-installed with a bunch of laptop brands like DELL. Over ebay you'll be able to find the card on its own though. My one was +/- 20$. Installing was a breeze and the wireless works flawless now. It even picked up the LED status correctly after I installed and then again de-installed the "Bigfoot Networks Killer™" drivers from their official website. That must have flipped a switch somewhere.

Now for the Bluetooth installation. I bought a "Lenovo Thinkpad Bluetooth Daughter Card 60Y3303 60Y3305" over ebay http://www.ebay.de/itm/181266042097?_tr ... EBIDX%3AIT. I think my one is a 60Y3303 instead of the 60Y3305. The auction didn't list the T410 as compatible. His could generally well be the case but I guess the modded BIOS helped here too. Installation takes a little longer, as there are quite a few screws, but as a result my T410 now has BT 4.0 and works perfectly.

I hope that helps a little.

Best,
cookies

Good to know that all went well. I have to do something about it, my n-6300 is disconnecting often, is very annoying. I tried everything i found on internet, all the tweaks I came across but none worked.
I have to go for modded BIOS to get rid of the problem.